Senior Pastor

OLNEY BAPTIST CHURCH

17525 Georgia Avenue • Olney, Maryland 20832

OlneyBaptistChurch.com

Affiliated with the Montgomery Baptist Association, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Pastor

Who We AreOlney Baptist Church (OBC) is a congregation of believers committed to Bringing Hope and Healing to Hearts and Homes. We are a family of believers growing in the image and likeness of Christ. Loving and serving in word and deed, while sharing the Good News with everyone to the glory of God. Located in Olney, Maryland, a warm community 30 minutes north of the nation's capital in Montgomery County, OBC is an autonomous, congregationally governed church in voluntary cooperation with the MBA, BCMD and the SBC.

OBC is an incredibly diverse, multigenerational, and welcoming congregation that has served the Olney community and surrounding area for over 45 years. Our active ministries include Children's Ministry, Youth Ministry, Mens and Ladies Ministries, and a Christian Wellness Care and Counseling program. We gather for worship Sundays at 10:00 AM and Wednesdays at 7:00 PM. United by our love for God and for one another, we are eager to welcome a pastor who will love and lead this family well. We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God and align with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.

Our GovernanceAs stated in our Constitution, "The government of this church is vested in the membership." OBC is an autonomous body operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Significant decisions — including the calling of a pastor, adoption of the budget, and amendments to the constitution and bylaws — are decided by a vote of the membership at a duly called business meeting. The Senior Pastor is called by the congregation by ballot, requiring a three-fourths (75%) majority of members present and voting. OBC also has an Elder Body that serves in an advisory and spiritual oversight capacity alongside the pastoral staff and congregation.

Position SummaryThe Senior Pastor is the spiritual leader of Olney Baptist Church and serves as a called, full-time, salaried minister. As outlined in Scripture — particularly 1 Timothy 3:1–7, which establishes the character and qualifications of an overseer — the Pastor is called to be above reproach, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, and a faithful manager of his household. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as taught in the Scriptures.

Per OBC's Bylaws, the Pastor is responsible for leading the church to function as a New Testament church and to carry out its mission. The Pastor leads the membership and the church staff in performing their duties. The Pastor's major commitments shall be directed toward performing pastoral ministries, proclamation of the Christian Gospel, and guiding the church in its worship experience with the Worship Ministry Director.

QualificationsCharacter & Faith

• A growing Christian of moral character who meets the requirements of 1 Timothy 3:1–7.
• Demonstrates a personal lifestyle of Christian discipleship and growth as described in the New Testament.
• Committed to the Statement of Faith and governing documents of Olney Baptist Church.
• Affirms the Holy Bible as the inspired, complete, and perfect record of God's revelation to man.

Education & Credentials

• A degree in Biblical Studies; a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent from an accredited institution of like faith is preferred.
• At least five years of pastoral experience; ten or more years preferred. Experience could be as Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Family Pastor, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in church leadership within a congregationally governed (democratic polity) church.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong expository preaching and Bible teaching ability.
• Administrative and supervisory skills, including the ability to develop, delegate, evaluate, and provide feedback to staff.
• Effective communicator both orally and in writing; a skilled and compassionate listener.
• Evidence of commitment to continued professional development, education, and growth in ministry.
• Able to inspire and motivate staff, fostering a culture of enthusiasm, ownership, and shared mission.
• Leads through trust and empowerment rather than micromanagement, equipping staff to exercise their gifts and fulfill their roles with confidence.

RequirementsThe successful candidate will:

• Unite with OBC as a member (with spouse, if applicable).
• Commit to the statements of faith and the Constitution and Bylaws of Olney Baptist Church.
• Reside locally within a reasonable commuting distance of OBC's campus in Olney, Maryland. This is an on-site, in-person position; remote arrangements are not available.
• Maintain flexible work hours to fulfill all pastoral responsibilities, including availability for emergency pastoral care on nights and weekends.
• Be willing to serve in a congregation-run church where significant decisions are brought before and voted on by the membership at regular or special business meetings.

Time Commitment: This is a called, full-time, in-person salaried position.

ResponsibilitiesSpiritual Leadership

• Serves as the primary spiritual leader of Olney Baptist Church, casting vision for the direction of the church and leading the congregation to fulfill its God-given mission.
• Leads the membership — both as a whole and through its ministries, committees, and teams — to achieve ministry and mission goals consistent with OBC's mission: Bringing Hope and Healing to Hearts and Homes.
• Encourages Christian maturity and discipleship in the congregation through proclamation, Christian education, counseling, and personal example.
• Promotes stewardship education, including creating a stewardship vision consistent with OBC's biblical standard of stewardship.
• Leads the staff and congregation in missions support through prayer, finances, and personal involvement; maintains relationships with the Montgomery Baptist Association, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Preaching & Teaching

• Prepares and delivers Biblically-based, expository sermons at Sunday worship services each week, or arranges for appropriate pulpit coverage as needed.
• Leads the midweek Bible study, equipping members in the knowledge and application of God's Word.
• Supports and helps direct OBC's Bible-based Teaching & Education Ministry, which may include Sunday School, small groups, and other programs for all ages.

Pastoral Care

• Manages and directs the pastoral care of church members through personal visitation, counseling, and coordination with the ministerial staff and deacons in family ministry.
• Performs pastoral responsibilities including funeral services, wedding ceremonies, hospital visitation, and crisis care.
• Plans and provides leadership in the observance of the church ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
• Is reasonably available nights and weekends for emergency pastoral care, delegating appropriately to staff, elders, deacons, and lay leaders.

Administration & Staff Oversight

• Organizes and oversees the day-to-day operations of the church, supervising all church staff in accordance with the staff organization chart.
• Serves as moderator at all church business meetings, presiding over congregational votes and ensuring business is conducted in conformity with OBC's Constitution, Bylaws, and Robert's Rules of Order.
• Serves as an ex-officio member (with voting privileges) of all church committees and may be represented by other staff as appropriate.
• Leads annual and multi-year planning in coordination with the Coordinating Council; participates in the annual budget process in partnership with the Stewardship Committee.
• Coordinates with associational, state, and denominational leaders on matters of mutual interest; keeps the church informed of denominational activities; and represents OBC in civic matters.

Scripture Foundation"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

— 1 Timothy 3:1–7 (NIV)

How to ApplyInterested candidates are invited to submit the following to OBC's Pastoral Search Committee:

• A cover letter expressing your sense of calling and vision for pastoral ministry
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae
• A personal statement of faith
• Links to or recordings of recent sermons (minimum two)
• At least three professional references, including at least one from a church where they serve or attend presently.

Please submit materials to OBC's Pastoral Search Committee:

[email protected]

All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.